President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, as Tropical Storm Isaac threatens to hit the US as a category two hurricane, which could mean winds of up to 100 mph.

With the hurricane expected to reach New Orleans by as early as this evening, here are local residents on the famous bourbon street preparing for its arrival. It is nearly seven years to the day after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city and killed more than 1,800 people and caused billions of dollars of damage along the coast.

These tourists explained that their flights had been cancelled:

"Our flights were cancelled so we are going to be here for the hurricane so we are battening down the hatches. But thinking of Katrina, when we came down we were aware that it was the seven year anniversary so that is definitely on our minds and we are just hoping that the city doesn't get hit again so brutally. It doesn't deserve it."

A hurricane warning is already in effect for some 300 miles of the Gulf Coast in four states from Louisiana to Florida, with lower-level warnings issued for many areas along Florida's west coast. With warnings from The National Hurricane centre warning that wind speeds could reach between 96-110mph before the storm makes landfall,many areas have already been evacuted .

I am Ann Salter thanks for watching. Stay tuned for the latest news and updates throughout the day with us at ibimes.co.uk